A MAN working for rogue kitchen boss Vance Miller returned to the factory with a Samurai sword just hours after a colleague claimed he was punched in the face.

Police surrounded Maple Mill on Cardwell Street, Oldham after Stephen Booth, 28, was spotted with the weapon and appeared to be drunk.

Earlier, officers had been called to the premises when drivers at Maple Industries walked out after a man alleged he was punched by Mr Miller.

Oldham magistrates were told that Booth, from Dowry Street, Oldham, worked until the end of his shift last Friday. He then returned with the sword which has a 20 inch blade.

Bill Mutch, prosecuting, said that an employee told police that Booth had walked through the mill with the sword and was swearing. He had been overheard saying: "That's the last time he's going to p*** me and the other drivers off."

Booth was quickly pointed out to police, and he was then arrested on suspicion of causing an affray.

Cannabis

The court heard that when he was asked to open his coat, the sword fell out. He was also found to have a quantity of cannabis.

Booth, who pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon and possessing the drug, was sentenced to 40 hours' community work.

Defending, Becky Clark, said he had not intended to use the sword to harm anyone and despite what police were told, he had not been drunk.

She said that Booth had wanted to talk to his boss about the alleged incident earlier in the day.

Ms Clark said he had taken the sword with him because he hoped to sell it to a colleague as he was short of money for a night out.

She told the court: "He co-operated fully with the police when they arrested him and had not understood that he should not have been carrying the sword in public."

Booth was suspended pending the court appearance but he hoped to be reinstated.

The M.E.N. has investigated Mr Miller over the last five years after hundreds of customers complained that kitchens bought from his companies fell apart.